Government announces nine-day lunar new year holiday

Illustrative image: The government officially approved the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs' (MOLISA's) proposal, allowing officers and workers to enjoy a nine-day Tet holiday. — Photo VNA/VNS

HA NOI (VNS) — Government officers and workers will enjoy a nine-day holiday for the 2016 Lunar New Year, which falls on February 8.

During the government's regular cabinet meeting in October, it approved the proposal of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) for a nine-day holiday for the upcoming Lunar New Year, locally known as Tet.

MOLISA said civil servants and government employees would not be required to work over the weekend before the holiday to compensate for the four additional days off, as two days of the Tet holiday adjoin the weekend.

Under the Labour Code, employees are given five days off work for the traditional New Year.

The nine-day Tet holiday will begin on February 6 and end on February 14, running from the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the 7th day of the first lunar month.

Under the proposal, civil servants and government employees are also expected to enjoy three days off each for the New Year of the Gregorian calendar, the commemoration of the Hung Kings and National Day.

In addition, employees will be entitled to four days off to celebrate Southern Liberation Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1). — VNS